The clock ticks on

Oh my dears, forgive me for neglecting you, I have been busy since school started back up for my FINAL semester of my undergraduate studies, and so far so good. There are four very critical months that stand between me and the degree I have worked hard for. I ask you to pray for those months and all they entail; tests, quizzes, projects, very major papers, and all the homework.

A friend and I were looking back over the years, and I can remember one day where I was sitting out by the river with my journal. I can also remember writing "I can't believe I get to spend four years of my life in college" and now here it is. I wonder where I will be sitting the next time I write "I can't believe I get to spend ____ years here". It is amazing the time that passes and when we stop to think about it all, it blows our minds. It keeps reminding me that time is precious and what you do with it matters.

I know some of my time could have been spent in better ways throughout the years. I hope in my coming years I will spend my time in the soil that God has prepared, nurturing it with the water He provided, and allowing it to receive sunlight which He created, in hopes that it will bear fruit.

All to God

Would you?

Would you go with me to a place you've never been? Would you give up the life that you know and add onto it by an extraordinary measure? Would you sacrifice the white picket fence and surrounding family for small living spaces and no relatives anywhere in the entire continent? Would you realize that english is not the only language worth speaking?

Would you humble yourself and know that you couldn't do it alone? Would you be willing to take lessons from a small child because now you are the child? Would you be ridiculously honest with those who support you, even if it means they no longer want to support you? Would you have the faith that when all seems to daunting that you are more precious than a whole flock of sparrows to Him?

Would you have a hope that surpasses all understanding? Even where you stand now?

All to God

Apostled

I have started to read in the Acts of the Apostles again. I made this decision because I was thinking one day that if I am really an apostle, I should probably learn from the masters. Though I know that I never literally walked with Jesus I do strive to know him better and better, and while I'm on my relational journey, I should take some pointers from those who have walked with him.

So far I have read through chapter four and a lot of what this book is talking about thus far is the relationship of believers. The gift had been poured out on the Apostles and they were the teachers to those who believed. So I suppose I wanted to sit at their feet for a while.

As I am moving towards the mission field I feel more and more compelled to learn what it is to be a bold, adaptable, and pro-unification disciple. This does not just happen from reading about it but applying it to life, and to action. It is a true journey that anyone who is serious about discipleship and Christ must take. Many times it is a journey taken over a mountainous place full of valleys and mountain peaks, with sunrises and sunsets, mountain-sides full of daisies and flash-floods washing them away. But it is a journey worth taking.

To the world we go!

All to God

If the world hates you...

More and more I feel the weight of the world crashing in on my belief system with it's slander and it's vile understanding of who Christ really is and who Christians are suppose to be. Honestly the term "Christian" has become such a negative connotation to the world in many circles. I like calling myself exactly what Christian is suppose to mean and that is a "Christ follower". I may not get away from the connotation fully because even the name of Christ has become offensive to the world.

But I love Christ. 

Many don't want to hear the opinions of Christians because many "Christians" have given some opinions that are not progressive and not helpful for bringing the message of salvation to the masses. I will admit much of this I feel I am having to explain other doctrines from this dis-unified church to people who do not have a relationship with Christ. I, and many like me, are fighting people with doctrines such as the infamous Westboro Baptist. Also motives such as the pastor in Florida who was threatening to burn Qur'ans, both of these examples are what I would call ignorant, and lacking God's love. 

However, I have read articles and have watched shows/movies/documentaries advocating that Christians are ignorant fools who are unpleasant, unloving, completely hypocritical, and totally ridiculous. It seems that many (more so in America) are becoming more tolerant of other religions and philosophies but when Christianity is brought up, or talked about, it is a joke. 

I am a Christ follower, I don't hold up protest signs with hateful words like "So and so is going to Hell!" I am not the Judge. I do not stand on the street to yell "REPENT OF YOUR DIRTY SINS AND AVOID ETERNAL DAMNATION!" Because it isn't about avoidance, it is about a relationship with Jesus, and it's not all about being coaxed into a relationship because of the fear of damnation. 

I think it's ok to dance with joy

I think it doesn't matter what music you choose (granted it doesn't curse God)

I think it's good to debate with God

I think it's entirely appropriate to ask the hard questions

All I'm asking is that maybe those who judge us Christ followers, and those who may have preconceived notions to think about how you don't want Christians judging you. Well I feel the exact same way about people judging me for my beliefs. I am willing to talk about what I believe but I cannot MAKE someone change their beliefs, but I will love anyone just the same because God loved them first.

I cannot stop people from judging me, I am an imperfect being who just happens to love Christ, with this love I wish to share it. However, I cannot and will not use pressure, there will not be yelling, and I will only be compelled to speak the truth in love. Understanding Christ is understanding who I strive to be although I know I could never live up to who He is and was while he walked on earth.

All to God